In a special report prepared with the input of Philadelphia Forward, Philadelphia magazine presented budgeting advice for Mayor Nutter in its February issue.

There’s an old saying — never let a crisis go to waste. So far, though, Michael Nutter has done exactly that. Believe us, he knew how bad the budget crisis was before he took office. He even told us all about it in our November 2007 issue. Then he inexplicably passed a budget planning to overspend revenues by $144 million — a deficit that in recent weeks has ballooned to $2 billion over the next five years. These are our suggestions for how Nutter can get back on track — without shutting libraries and pools. The good news is, all he has to do is live out the narrative that carried him to victory in 2007: Reformer wins on a platform of change. Unfortunately, the cleaner we elected was replaced by a mayor who behaves like he owes his victory to the Democratic party machine. It’s time for you to step up and do what you said you’d do, Mike, and we’ve got ideas on how to do it (prepared with help from Brett Mandel of the reform group Philadelphia Forward). There’s never been a time, or a crisis, like the present.

Unload our gas companyTake some advice, pleaseRight-size the workforceSlash your own staffLaunch Survivor: Row Office EditionGo get what's oursKeep murdering the BPT by degrees (just the way it killed Philadelphia's business climate)Deep-six handouts to the private sectorSell a bridge to somewhereForm a committee of city-planning superheroesTake the paper out of city governmentWhile you're at it, take the perks out of city government

So far, I am not so happy to report that the Mayor has not taken Philadelphia Forward's advice on budgeting...or other experts' advice...or even the advice he offered as a mayoral candidate, but maybe that will change. The Nutter Administration has scheduled a series of budget workshops to engage the citizenry in the effort to clean up Philadelphia's budget mess...

Philadelphia Forward is a non-partisan, non-profit citizens’ organization educating the region about how Philadelphia raises and spends public money. We advocate government efficiency and fair, simple and competitive taxation so Philadelphia can become a world-class city for neighbors to build strong communities and businesses to create jobs.

Philadelphia Forward informs the public about city tax and budget issues; proposes and promotes policies to sustain and grow the city’s economy and population; and advocates reforms necessary to bring about such changes. We believe that by taxing and spending wisely, Philadelphia can become an attractive place to live and do business. We collaborate with citizens and the business community to ensure that Philadelphia becomes a world-class city that works — and grows.